Automatically fed furnace



S p 6, 1932- J. H. TAYLOR 1,876,095

AUTOMATICALLY FED FURNACE Filed July 22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 QR Na Sept. 6, 1932. J. H. TAYLOR AUTOMATICALLY FED FURNACE Filed July 22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 6, 1932. .1. H. TAYLOR AUTOMATICALLY FED FURNACE Filed July-22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 v fizz sna Sept. 6, 1932. J. H. TAYLOR AUTOMATICALLY. FED FURNACE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4- Filed July 22. 1929 Sept. 6, 1932. J. H. TAYLOR AUTOMATICALLY FED FURNACE Filed July 22, 192.9 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 \R Q QQ Sepia. 6, 1932. J. H. TAYLOR AUTOMATICALLY FED FURNACE Filed July 22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES JAMES HALL TAYLOR, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS AUTOMATICALLY FED FURNACE Application filed July 22,

' My invention relates to furnaces for heat ing iron or steel bars preparatory to cutting blanks therefrom for forging purposes.

My invention is concerned with mechanism for feeding the stock to and through the furnace, and contemplates novel means whereby the stock is reciprocated regularly, so that its end is periodically projected from the furnace to have a piece cut therefrom, and whereby, at the same time, the stock is progressively advanced through the furnace.

It has been the practice to place a bar of stock in a furnace, heating it to a point adaptable for practical cutting purposes, then removing the bar from the furnace, then cutting the same into pieces, and then heating the pieces to suitable temperature for forging. This practice limits the stock to r'elatively short bars, and requires more handling and more heating.

I heating for each billet cut therefrom.

My invention makes continuous operation practicable, enabling the use of long stock, conveniently end-welded in the nature of a continuous ribbon, and requiring simply 0115 great saving in handling and heating is effected.

WVith my device, the bar stock is handled automatically and is projected from and restored to the furnace for each cutting operation thereon, the restoring movement thereof being less than the projecting movement thereof, by the length of the billet out therefrom, so that the stock advances step-bystep through the furnace. The mechanism lends itself to employment in a plurality of gangs whereby a number of bars may be heated simultaneously and their ends, respectively, projected from the furnace for'cutting purposes in appropriately timed relation to each other. These bars are spaced apart, which is advantageous as eliminating possibility'of the bars sticking together.- Under present practice, the forging blanks, after cutting thereof, are placed in the furnace and reheated to forging temperature. Unless considerable care is exerted in spacing these blanks apart they will stick together requiring some delay in handling and separating them. I avoid this by having the continuous- 1929. Serial No. 379,915.

1y heated and fedbars spaced sufficiently far apart to render it impossible for them to contact one another.

My invention is illustrated'in the accoin- 1b and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 5 is a horizontal partial sectional view taken on the plane of the line 5, 5 of Figure 4, looking downwardly;

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional View taken on the plane of the line 6, 6 of Figure 1a looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view also taken approximately on the plane of the line 4, 4 of Figure 12;, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The furnace itself is shown at 11. My invention is not concerned with the details thereof and it suflices to say for present purposes that it is heated in any approved manner and is appropriately supported upon beams 12, which rest upon pedestals 13, 13, and that it is provided at one end with the entry opening 14 and at the oppoopening 14 into the furnace and serving to support the stock at the rear thereof.

To the rear of the furnace a skeleton supporting structure mounts the pair of rails 21, 21 which extend parallel to the axis of the furnace. A carriage reciprocates on this bracket. The main frame of this carriage is indicated at 22. It is of such width as to lie between the rails 21, 21 and it carries stub axles 23 upon which wheels 24, 24 are mounted, these wheels resting upon the rails 21, 21.

This carriage mounts means for gripping the bar stock which is to be fed through the furnace. In that embodiment of my invention which I am illustrating and describing herein, I provide three gripping mechanisms, so that three bars may be handled simultaneously. These gripping mechanisms are alike so that description of one applies to all. Each of them is as follows:

A secondary frame 25 is mounted for limited vertical movementin an opening 26 in the main framc'22. This secondary frame has an opening 27 therethrough, through which the bar stock B may extend. In the secondary frame 25, at the bottom of the opening 27, a clamping block 28 is provided, this clamping block being vertically adjustable ina well 29, in the secondary frame, by means of a set screw 30. The top surface of this clamping block 28 is serrated as indicated at 28a for tight clamping engagement with the underside of the bar stock B passing through the opening 27.

As shown in Figure 1b, the secondary frame is provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending ears 30 in which, on axles 31, 31, rollers 32, 32 are mounted, these rollers, as shown in Figures 1?) and 4, being adapted tov engage the top side of the bar stock B. v

Mounted on the top of the secondary frame 25 is a piston cylinder 33, the latter being secured to the former by means of bolts 34, 34. A piston 35 is disposed in the cylinder 33, adapted to reciprocate therein, and its piston rod 36extends downwardly, out of the cylinder 33 through a suitable stuffing box 37. The axis of. the piston and rod passes through the center of the clamping block 28 and a complementary clamping block 38 is carried, on the lower end of the piston rod 36.

The lower surface of the clamping'bloclr 38 is serrated, as indicated at 39, for gripping engagement with the top side of the bar stock B.

' It is now clear that, if pressure is exerted on theupper side of the piston 35, the clamping blocks 28 and 38 will move relatively together'to grip the bar stock between them and, as will be seen, I provide means for effecting this gripping action at definite times relative to the operation of the remainder of the apparatus. Releasing the pressure from the upper side of the piston 35 and applying pressure below it moves the clamping blocks relatively to separate them and I provide means whereby this releasing action is effected at definite times relative to the operation of the remainder of the apparatus.

It will also be clear that if the carriage is reciprocated it will carry the bar stock with it if the clamping blocks are in gripping position, and will move, leaving the bar stock at rest, if the clamping blocks are not in gripping position. I provide means whereby the carriage is reciprocated and means whereby the gripping of the bar stock may take place at certain times relative'to the reciprocation of the carriage in order that the bar stock may be handled, as I desire, and as I shall point out presently.

It is to be noted that the bar gripping and feeding means is disposed to engage the cold portion of the bar, exterior of the furnace. This is advantageous, in that such means is not subjected to the destructive action of the high temperatures incident to the heating of the portion of the bar within the furnace.

To the rear of the skeleton supporting frame work 20 I provide standards 40, 40 which carry aligned bearings 40a, 40a at the top thereof, and shaft 41 is mounted in these hearings. At each end of the shaft. 41 there are two cams 42 and 43 which, for ease in description, 1 shall refer to, respectively, as the large and small cams. Each large cam is engaged by a follower in the formof a roller 44 mounted upon the pin 45 in the 0s cillating arm46, the lower end of which is mounted on a shaft 47 in a bearing 48, each of these oscillating arms having, fixed therewith, an arm 49 which extends upwardly from the shaft 47 at an angle to lie on the other side of the cams. At the upper end of each arm 49 a roller 50 is mounted upon a pin 51, this roll-er acting as a follower for the small cam 43. 7

Also mounted upon the pin 51 is an upward extension 52 which is connected with the upper end of the arm 46 in a manner now to be described:

At the upper end of the arm 46 a cylinder 53 is mounted for oscillation on the pin 54. A piston 55 is mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder 53 and its rod 56- passes out, toward the extension 52, through the stuffing box 57. The rod 56 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the extension 52 by means of the pin 58. A link 59 connects the pivot pin 58 with a pivot pin 60 on the carriage frame 22. 7

Power is applied to the shaft 41 through the bevel gear 61 secured thereon and the pinion 62 meshing with the bevel gear 61 and mounted upon a longitudinal. shaft 63 journaled in abearing 64 on a standard 6.5,

this shaft 63 extending forwardly to a pow er plant 66, universal joints 67 and 67a and aslip connection 67 bintervening. This power plant is mounted on a base 68 which will:

be referred to 'later.-' k The rotation of the cams 42 and 43 effects the oscillation of the joined arms 46 and 49, this unit beingswung to the right, into the position shown inFigure 15, "by the cn-- gagem'ent of the large cam with'the. roller 44 and being swung to the left, into the position shown in Figure 2, by the engagement of the small cam with the roller 50. This oscillatory movement of the arms 46 and 49. is transmitted to carriage 22 for reciprocating the latter, through links 59. The reciprocation of the carriage is also effected in part by the action of the piston 55 in the-cylinder 53. With the swinging unit in the position shown in Figure 1b the clamping-blocks 28 and 38 are operated to grip the bar and promptly thereafter the piston 55 is moved to the left of thecylinder 53 so that on the continued rotation of the small cam 43 the swinging unit will be moved to the left, into the position shown in Figure 2, and, the

piston 55 being then at the left hand end of the cylinder 53, the carriage will be moved to-its extreme left hand limit, carrying the bar into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1a There, as will be described presently, a

forging blank is cut from the end of the bar,

which was cut off. With .the piston 55 still at the left hand end of the cylinder 53, the swinging unit is swung to the right by the engagement of the large cam 42 with the roller 44, the throw of the unit, in this action, being the equivalent of. the movement thus required of thebar-B. When that point is reached, the clamping blocks 28 and 38 are opened, releasing the bar B from the can riage, and the piston 55 is then moved to the right of the cylinder 53 thus effecting the movement of the carriage to the right with the bar stock remaining at rest. The movement of the piston 55 in the cylinder 53 is the equivalent of the length of the forging blank which had been cut off and therefore the carriage is now in position for the bar B to be grasped preliminary to effectingthe next complete left hand movement thereof. This completes the cycle of operations, which may be repeated indefinitely.

It will be evident, from the above, that the length of the blank cut off depends upon the travel of piston 55 in cylinder 53. Referring more particularly to Figures 3 and 4, I provide an adjusting rod 69 provided at one end with an eye70 which receives a headed pin 71' secured through extensionmember 52;

' This rod passes through an eye 7 2 mounted for turning movement through arm 46. The rod is threaded for reception of adjusting nuts 73 screwed thereon, and receives-a washer 74 which bears against eye 72 when the parts arein the left hand'positionof Fig-- ure 2. By adjusting the nuts upon rod 69 the effective length thereof can be adjusted with facility. Since rod 69 is connected to extension member 52'and arm 46, it is evident that this rod controls the travel of piston 55 in its cylinder 53. This provides simple and highly efiicient means whereby. the feed can be quickly adjusted for cutting blanks of any desired length withinthe extreme limits of travel of piston 55. VVhenthe arm 46 and associated parts are returned to the right hand position ofFigure 3, rod 69 slides through eye 72 a distance equalto the travelof piston 55 toward the right, into the position shown in this figure.

It will be clear that various means may be provided for effecting the gripping action, for reciprocating the carriage, and for selectively superimposing added movement upon the movement of the carriage when required in the cycle of operations. However, in the embodiment of myinvention, and as illustrated and described herein, I use direct acting mechanical means, i. e. cams and followers, for imparting the primary reciprocating movement to the carriage andl provide pneumaticor hydraulic means for ef fecting the added movement thereof and for effecting the gripping action; and I provide electrical means for controlling the operation of such pneumatic or'hydraulic means. I shall now describe the specificforms of control herein illustrated; V

The shaft-41 carries a timingcam 75, set thereon, and this cam is followed by a roller 7 6mounted' upon a'pin 77 on the end of the 7 walking beam-7 8 mounted on the pin 79 in the upward extension 80 of the standard 65. The other end of this walking beam has pivoted thereto, at 81 a link 82 operatively connected with an electric switch 83 disposedin the housing 33a and diagrammatically shown in Figure 3, the movable arm of this switch'being indicated at 84 as riding over arcu'atecontact strips 85 and 86. The cam 7 5 is provided with a recess 87 which receives roller 76 when the parts are positioned as in Figure 3, and with an abrupt extension or.

nib 88 contiguous to and in advance of the recess. This camis so timed that, lII11T1Bdi-' ately after piston 55 has been returned to'its right hand in cylinder 53,;nib 88 contacts roller 76 and actuates walking beam 78 so as to move switch arm 84 into the dotted lineposition of Figure 3.

In this position, arm 84 is out of contact with strip 85 and the circuit through thisswitch is broken. This renders inoperative certain control-circuits andassociated mechanisms so that the piston 35 for operating the gripping member 38 is held in inoperative position and'the bar stock B will not be gripped until a manually operated primary control switch is closed, as will be morefully described. Under such conditions, the continued rotation of cam with shaft 41 will not affect the operation of the feed mechanism, and the carriage 22 will reciprocate upon the tracks 21 without feeding the bar stock B. This gives the operator control over the feeding of the stock. Also, with piston 35 in its raised or inoperativeposition, piston 55 is held in its right hand position in cylinder 53, illustrated in Fig. 3.

. Contact strip is connected by lead 87 to negative main 88, which is connected by lead 89 to one pole of a solenoid 90, the other pole of which is connected, by a lead 91a, to a.

terminal 91disposed'at one end' of a mer cury tube switch 92 of known type. A second terminal 93 of switch 92, is disposed at the same end of the switch 92 as terminal 91 and 9 adjacent thereto. Terminal 92* is connected by a lead 94 to a positive main 95co-extensive with the negative main 88.

The switch 92 is suitably mounted'upon one arm of an angle lever 96'pivoted at 97 upon a lug 98 depending "from cylinder 33.

The other arm of lever 96 is provided, at the free end thereof, with a fork 99 which straddles a pin 100 projecting laterally from block 38. When piston 35 is raised, lever 96 is i rocked into the position of Figure 3, with switch 92 inclined and themercury 101 at the lower portion thereof and away from the terminals 91 and 92. This'breaksthe circuit. of solenoid 90 and deenergizes it.

A core 102 operates in solenoid 90 and, when the solenoid is deenergized', is .movedv into its lower position illustrated in Figure 3, this movement of the core being, effected-by gravity or in any other suitable or preferred manner. Core 102 is connected by a rod 103 to a piston valve cylinder 105 positioned above solenoid 90.

The valve cylinder 105 is provided, adja-- cent each end, with an exhaust port 106, and with nipples 107 disposed adjacent and inwardly from the respective ports. I Cylinder 105 is also provided, approximately midway of its length, with an inlet port 108 to which operating fluid is supplied, under pressure, in a suitable manner, as by means of a conduit 109. The upper nipple 107 is connected to the right hand end of cylinder 53, as considered in Figure 3, by a length of hose 111, and the lower nipple 107 is similarly connected to the left hand end of cylinder 53 by hose112.

The valve 104 comprises end headswll3so" disposed that the lower head 113 covers lower port 106*and is positioned below theilower nipple 107, the upper head being. positioned below both the upper port 106 and the upper Piston 55 is thus moved to. the-" remains raised. When: piston 35 is lowered-I into operative or 'bar'gripping position, lever: 96 is tilted into the opposite position to that i illustrated in Figure 3,.thus tilting'switch 92;. into such position. that :mercury 101bridges the terminalsl91 and 93.. This closes:the;cir.'-.

cuit of solenoid 90' which is then energized. and -actsto raise its core 102,. moving'valve 104 into its upper position. In the-raisedpoe sition of valve 104, upper head 113 thereof.

covers upper port 106 and is above upper nip ple 107, the lower head 113 being disposed. above the 'lower port 106 and lower nipple; 107. Pressure fluid is then admitted. to :the right/hand end of cylinder 53 through hose 111, and pressure fluid is exhausted'from Tha 1 left hand end of the cylinder, the inlet port 108 remaining uncovered in both positions of valve 104.- This serves to move piston 55 to ward the left hand end of its cylinder, to the limit of its movement in such direction al- 109? lowed by the adjusting rod 69. It will be noted that this movement of piston 55 occurs after piston 35 has been moved into its lower operative or bar gripping position, as pre viously described.

The positive main. 95 is connected by a lead 114 to one pole of a normally open pushbutton switch 115 of known type which, in practice, is disposed so as to be' readily accessible to the-operator. The'other pole of this switch is connected by a lead-116 to a terminal 117. A second terminal 118 'is disposed adjacent terminal 117 and is connected to main 95 by a, lead 119. A short lead 120 connects lead 116 to one terminal of the coil of an electro-magnet 121, suitably mounted upon a bracket 122, and the other terminal of the coil of electro-magnet121 is connected by a lead 123to contact strip86L. An arm 124 is pivoted at. its lower end, at 125,- on bracket 122, and is urged away from the adjacent pole of electro-magnet 125' by a tension spring 126 connecting the arm and an upward extension 127 of the bracket.- This arm carries an armature 128 disposed to be attracted by the electro-magnet 121" when the latter is energized. Arm 124 carries an upwardly extending contactifinger 129 disposed to'bridge the terminals 117 and 118 when the arm is closed against the tension of spring 126.

The electro-magnet 121 and associated parts constitute a primary relay for controlling the: circuits, of similar, secondary relays 130 and 131. The outer ends of the coils of relays 130 and 131 are connected, by leads'132- and 312a, to lead 123, and the inner ends of these coils are connected by a common lead 133 to a terminal 134 of a mer cury tube switch 135 of known type suitably mounted upon walking beam 78 for movement therewith.

A second terminal 136 of'this switch, disposed adjacent terminal 134, is connected by a lead 137 to lead 116. Contact finger 138 of relay 130 controls two terminals 139 and 140 connected by leads 141 and 142, respectively, to leadsn133 and 143, the latter of which is connected at one end to positive main 95. The other end of lead 143 is connected to one pole of a solenoid 144 the other pole of which is connected by a lead 145 to a terminal 146. A second terminal 147 is disposed adjacent terminal 146, and is connected by a lead 148 to negative main 88. The terminals 146 and 147-are controlled by contact finger 149 of relay 131. Switch 92 is provided, at the opposite end thereof from terminals 91 and 93, with a second pair of terminals 150 and 151 which are bridged by mercury 101 when this switch is in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. Terminal 150 is connected by lead 152 to lead 123, and terminal 151 is connected by lead 153 to lead 87.

InFigure 3 'I'have illustrated the various mechanisms in the positions they ocupy immediately after thecarriage 22 has been returned to its, extreme left hand position, and nib 88 of the timer cam has passed beneath roller 76 and has actuated the walking beam 78 to move the switch arm 84 into the circuit opening position indicated by dotted lines. The various local control circuits are now all open and will remain so until the primary control switch 115 is closed.

Under such conditions, the continued rotation of cam 25 and resultingoscillation of walking beam 78 will not affect any of the circuits, and carriage 22 will reciprocate without feeding the bar stock B, as previously stated.

When it is desired to again'advance the bar stock B from the furnace for cutting off a second blank therefrom, button 115a of switch 115 is pressed, closing the switch. With this switch closed, current flows from positive main 95 through the coil of electromagnet 121, lead 123, ,contactstrip 86, switch arm 84, contact strip85 and lead-87 to negative main 88. The electro-magnet'121 is thus energized and attracts its armature 128, moving contact finger 129 into position to bridge terminal 117 and 118. Upon release of button 115a,the circuit of electro-magnet 121, from the positive mainf95, is completed through lead .119, contact 118, finger 129, contact 117, a portion of lead 116 and lead 120. The switch 83, comprising arm" 84 and associated parts, is shunted by leads 152 and 153, when lever 96 is inthe position of Figure 3,'so that opening of this switch in the continued rotation of cam 7 5 will not open will flow through lead 137, terminals 136 and 134, .lead 138, the coils of relays 130 and 131, and leads 132 and 132a tolead 123,-and thence to the negative main 88. This closes contact fingersl38 and 149 bridging 'te'rminals 139 and 140, and 146 and 147, respectively. The circuit for the coils of relays 130- and 131 is now completed from positive main 95 through leads 143 and 142, terminals 140, contact finger 138, terminal 139 lead 141 and a-porton of lead 133. The opening ofterminals 134 and 136 due to oscillation of the walkingbeam 78, will not now affect the circuit of coils of relays 130 and 131, which will remain closed. Contact finger 149 bridges theterminals 146 and 147, completing the circuit of solenoid 144, which is thus energized. It

*willbe noted that the. initial closing of the circuit of the coils of relays 130 and 131 occurs through switch 135, and can not take place until roller 76 enters recess 87 of timer cam 75.- This assures thatsolenoid 144 will be energized in advance ofcontact of cam ,43 with roller 51 for swinging arms 46 and 49 toward the left to advance the bar stock from the furnace to the shears.

A core 154 operates in solenoid 144 andis connected by a rod 155 to a. piston valve 156 operating in a valve cylinder 157 disposed above solenoid144. The valve cylinder 157 has upper and lower nipples 158v and 15,9, re spectively, extending therefrom and opening intocylinder 33 above and below piston35.

A manifold 160 (Figure-4) extends across and in front of the valve cylinders 157, and

operating fluid under pressure is supplied to this manifold, from a suitable source, by means of a hose section 161. An inlet nipple 162 (Figure 3) extends from valve cylinder 157 and establishes communication between the same and the manifold. -The valve 156 comprises end heads 163, which control nipples 158 and 159, as well as exhaustports 164 adjacent the ends of thevalve cylinder. With solenoid 144 deenergized and valve 156 in its lowered position, pressure fluid is exthe fluid from beneath piston and admit been cut from .the bar.

pressure fluid above the piston. The piston 35 is forced down so as to cause the bar stock B to be gripped by the blocks 28 and 38. It is to'be noted that this occurs after nib 88 of cam passes beneath roller 76, since the initial closing of the circuit through the coils of relay-s130 and 131 is controlled by switch 135. The downward movement of piston 35 tilts lever 96 into such position that switch 92 is inclined oppositely to its position of Figure 3.

' The mercury 101 of this switch then bridges contacts 91 and 92, c'losing the circuit of solenoid and causing movement of piston 55 toward the left end of its cylinder 53, as previously described. This tilting of switch 92 opens the circuit through leads 152 and 153. Contact finger 129 remains closed, however, since the circuit of electro-magnet 121 remains closed through switch 83. Cam 43 then contacts roller 51 and rocks arms 49 and 46 toward the left, advancing the bar into position to have a blank cut therefrom. The face of cam 43 which contacts roller 51 is of proper extent to hold the bar extended, without movement thereof, until the blank has beencut therefrom.

As cam 43 passes out of contact with roller 51, cam 42 contacts roller 44 and rocks arms 46 and 49 toward the right restoring the bar to the furnace. Shortly after arms 49 and 46 have reached their extreme right hand position, nib 88 of cam 75 again raises roller 76 and, through walking beam 7 8 and rod 82, swings switch arm 84 into circuit opening position. This opens "the circuit of electromagnet 121, since the circuit through leads 152 and 153 is open at this time, as above ex plained. Spring 126 then acts to restore contact to open position, which opens the circuit of the coilsof relays1'30 and 131. This causes contact fingers 138 and 149 to be opened, resulting in openingof the circuit of solenoid 144, which is thereby deenergized. Core 154 then drops into itslowered position (Figure 3) which causes piston 35 to be raised, releasin the bar.

Switch 92 is restored to the position shown in Figure 3, by raising of piston 35, thus breaking the circuit of solenoid 90 and causing piston 55 to be moved to the right hand end of its cylinder, as previously described. This movement of the piston 55 corresponds, in extent, to the length of the blank which'has The various parts of the control andfeed mechanisms are thus restored to the relative positions of Figure 3, completing the cycle of operations" of such mechanisms, and this cycle maybe repeated indefinitely for feeding the bar to the shears and restoring itto the furnace, and advancing for handling all three ofth-e bars simultaneously, I also contemplate providing separate control and feed means for each bar, where desired, whereby the bars can be handled and fed independently. This canbe' readi'lyaccomplished by merely duplicating the control and feed means illustrated, and need not be illustrated nor further described here.

i The bar stock B may conveniently be formed of suitable lengths end'welded, and

may project a considerable distance to the rear of' the furnace. 1 preferably provide means for supporting this re-arwardlyextending portion of the respective bars. Such means comprises, in the embodiment illustrated by way of example only, a frame 165, a suitable number of standards, one of which is shown at 166 (Figure 2) secured to frame 165, and a shaft 167 rotatably mounted in the standards. Flanged collars 1'68, arranged in pairs (Figure 6) are adjustablysecured on shaft 16? by set screws 169 disposed iin recesses 170 in the collars; The bars B rest upon the collars of each pair and are confined laterally between the flanges of-the collars. Collars 168 can be adjusted with facility to accommodate bars of various widths within the limits allowed by guide lugs 171 which extend upwardly from furnace bed 16 and confine the bars laterally duringtheir passage through thefurnace.

At the forward end of the furnace I pro vide'she-ar means for cutting off the blanks when the bars are projected from the furnace into cutting position, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1a. This means comprises a suitable frame having 'side upright-s 172 in which an upper blade holder 173 is mounted for vertical reciprocation. Holder 173 is guided in a suitable manner, as by means of elements-carried thereby and operating in vertical guide slots 17 4 in the uprights. An upperblade 175 is suitably mounted in holder 17 3 and cooperates with a lowerfixed blade 176 suitably secured in a blade holder 17 7 extending transversely of the shear frame and rigidly connecting the side uprights 17 3.

An operating shaft'178 is rota-tabiy mounted in the shear frame, at thelower portion thereof, and is driven from shaft 179*:of the power plant by meansof a pinion 180 keyed Ill,

on shaft 179 and meshing with a gear 181 keyedon shaft 178. The blade holder is reciprocated by shaft 178 by means of pitman rods 182 suitably'connected thereto at their upper ends, the lower ends of theserods being suitably connected to cranks 183 at the endsof shaft 178. Shaft 63 is also driven from shaft 179 by means of abevel gear .184 which is keyed on shaft 179 and meshes with abevel gearl keyed on the forward end of shaft 63. The shears are thus driven in timed relation to the bar feeding mechanism, and the timing of the shears is such as to cut the blanks from the bars while they are held stationary in their projected or cutting position. A When .the bars are returnedto the furnace, the. upper shear blade is raised so as to be ready for a succeeding cutting or shearing operation.

I preferably provide the shears with a water cooled shield 186 supported betweenuprights 172 and disposed adjacent the front of the furnace. The shield is provided, at each side, with a forwardly extending plate 187 having vertical slots188 which accommodate cap screws 189 which screw into uprights 172. J

v This provides convenient meansfor securing the shield 186 to the uprights and for adjusting it vertically. The lower portion of this shield is preferably curved forwardly, as shown, to facilitate feeding of the bars to the shears. Cooling water may be supplied to the-shield 186, adjacent the lower end thereof, in a known manner and the relatively hot water escapes from the upper end of the shieldthrough an outlet pipe 190.

The power plant 66 and the shears are mounted upon a common plate 191. This plate has depending therefrom transversely extending dovetail guide elements 192 which slide in corresondingly shaped grooves 193 in the upper face of a relatively thick base plate 194. Plate 194 is further provided with a transverse depression 195 between grooves 193. This depression accommodates a rack bar 196, formed on the under face of plate 191. A shaft 197 is rotatably mount- .ed in bearing members 198 and 199 depending from plate 194, and a pinion 200 is keyed on the shaft and extends upwardly with depression 195, this pinion meshing with rack bar 196. A gear 201 is keyed on shaft 197, adjacent bearing member 199, and extending upwardly through an opening 202 in base plate 194. This gear 201 mesheswith a pinion 203 keyed on the shaft of an electric motor 204 secured upon plate-194. The rack 196 and pinion 200, and associated parts, provide means whereby the shears and power plant canbe adjusted transversely of base plate 194 to accurately position the shears relative to the outlet openings 15 at the front of, the furnace.

In the form of my invention illustrated,

' the shear blades are, of proper length to the lower wall of opening 15, for support-- ing the forward portionsof the bars duringthe shearing operation. My invention comprehends, however, the use of shears of proper width for cutting a single bar, such shears being adjusted in-either direction across plate :194 into position for shearing a blank from any selected bar. This adjustment of the shears will, of coursepbe V effected when the bars are in retracedv position withinthe furnace;

A forging press 205 is disposed adjacent and forwardly of the shears. This press is, in general,of known type and comprises a bed 206, a frame, 207, and a cross-head 208 suitably mounted and for 1 vertical reciprocation, therein. Crosshead 208 carries an upper die 209 suitably mounted therein. This uper die cooperates with alower die 210 mounted in a die holder 211 secured to press bed 206, in a known manner, for forging the. blanks cutfrom the bars. The cross head may be reciprocated in any suitable manner. have shown a cylinder 212 at the top of frame 207. -A piston (not shown) operates in this cylinder, and rod 213 of this piston is suitably secured to cross-head 208. Operating fluid, under pressure, is alternately. admitted to and exhausted from the cylinder, 212, at opposite sides of the piston, in a known manner, thus reciprocating the cross-head. In the press illustrated, the pressure fluid used is steam, this press being known as a steam hammer. As the blanks are sheared from the bars they .are delivered to the press andforged into desired shape between the 'dies 209 and 210. A lower chute section 214 is supported by a bracket arm 215 secured to bed 206, and is disposed to direct blanks 216, out from the bars, onto the lower die 210'. Chute section 214 is provided with lateral flanges 217 for confining the blanksv laterally thereof, and has a rearwardly offset lip 218 at its upper end. This lip supports the lower end of an upper. chute section 219, provided at its upper end with a depending and rearwardly disposed flange 220 secured by set screws 221 to the front face of lower blade holder 177, adjacent lower blade 176 of the shears. The blanks which have been sheared from the bars, slide down the chute guided in the frame -f and the operator, who is positioned at the press, controls delivery of the blanks to the lower die, andv properly positions these blanks on die 210 and removes the forged articles therefrom. During. forging of the blanks the bars are disposed within the furnace, where they are maintained at proper forging temperature. hen the operator. is ready for another'batch of blanks, he presses press, and the bars again projected and the blanks are sheared therefrom, as previously described. But a short length of the bars'is projected from the furnace momentarily during the shearing operation, and the bars are then immediately returned to the furnace.

In this manner, I effect a great saving in heat, over present practice, as well as effecting a great saving in time and handling, since the bars are handled automatically and are always at such temperature that the blanks cut therefrom are at proper forging temperature when delivered to the press. By my invention, I render it possible to forge articles by a continuous high speed operation, effecting agreat saving over the present practice in forging in which relatively short bars are heated, then sheared into blanks, and the blanks are then placed in the furnace and heated to forging temperature, these blanks being then removed from the furnace singly and forged.

It will also be noted that, by my invention, the bars are spaced apart and held out of con tact in the furnace so that there is no possibility of their sticking together. When the separate blanks are placed in the furnace and heated to forging temperature, in accordance With present practice, unless considerable care is exercised in placing them in the furnace, they frequently contact and stick together causing considerable delay in handling and separating them. I avoid this objection, as well as avoiding all necessity for placing the blanks in the furnace and heating them and then removing them from the furnace. This effects a great saving in time as well as saving the heat required for a second heating of the blanks, both items of great importance as effecting the cost of production.

What I claim is 1. The combination of a furnace and bar feeding mechanism, said mechanism comprising reciprocating means for gripping and releasing the bar, and means for moving said gripping means a definite distance in one direction while gripping the bar and for moving said gripping means a lesser'distance in the opposite direction while gripping the bar and the remainder of the distance While not gripping it.

2. The combination of a furnace and bar feeding mechanism comprising a reciprocating carriage for gripping and moving the bar during movement of the carriage in both directions, means for imparting a back and forth movement to said carriage, and auxiliary means for adding to and subtracting from the movement of the bar.

3. The combination of a furnaceand bar feeding mechanism comprising a reciprocating carriage, means on said carriage for gripping the bar during movement of the carriage in both'directions, and means for controlling the operation of said gripping means for releasing the bar during movement of the car'- riage in one direction and before the carriage trolling the operation of said gripping means, 7

said gripping means being operated automatically according to the position of said carriage for releasing the bar before the carriage reaches the end of its travel in one direction and for gripping the bar during travel of the carriage in the other direction.-

5. In step by step feeding mechanism, means for gripping strip material to be fed, means for reciprocating said gripping means, and means for controlling the action of said gripping means for releasing the material be fore the gripping means reaches the end of its travel in one direction and for'gripping the material during travel of the gripping means in the other direction whereby the movement of the strip material may be greater in one direction than in the other.

6. In step by step feeding mechanism, means for gripping strip material to be fed, means for reciprocating said gripping means, means for adding to said reciprocation, and means for controlling said gripping means to grip said strip material during its entire motion in one direction and to release it during its movement in the opposite direction and prior to completion of the movement of the gripping means in said opposite direction.

7 The combination of a furnace and feeding mechanism and a shear, said feeding mechanism comprising means for reciprocating abar in said furnace so that the end thereof will alternately project beyond said furnace between the blades of said shear and be restored to said furnace, said means operating to advance said bar step by step through said furnace.

8. In combination, a furnace, a frame work providing a track adjacent the rear end of said furnace, a carriage mounted to reciprocate on said track, gripping blocks carried by said carriage between which a bar extending into said furnace is adapted to be disposed, means for operating said gripping blocks to clamp said bar. therebetween, a swinging arm linked to said carriage, cam

mechanism for imparting an oscillating movement to said arm, and an expa'nsible link between said arm and the carriage.

9. In combination, a furnace, a frame work providing a track adjacent the rear end of said furnace, a carriage mounted to reciproeating carriage mounted adj acent one endof the furnace, releasable gripping means car'-' ried by said carriage and disposed for recep-i tionof a bar to be fed through the furnace,

means for reciprocating the carriage, said re-- 7 ciprocatingmeans. including an expansible andcontractiblelink connection and operating and control means for causing the gripping-means to grip the bar and the connec tion to be expanded during travel of'the carriage in one direction, said operating and control means causing the gripping meansto release the bar" when "the carriage has'been moved a predetermined distance in the other direction and thereafter causingcontraction of said connection. e j

11. In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end 015 the furnace, releasable gripping means" carried by said carriage and disposed for reception of 'a' bar to be fed through the furnace,

means for reciprocating the carriage, said re ciprocating means includingan ex ansib'le and contractible link connection, an operating andcontrol meansfor-causing the, gripping'means to grip the bar and the connec tion tobe expanded during travel of the carriage in one. direction,.said operating and control means causing the gripping means to release the bar when the carriage has been moved a predetermined distance in the other direction and thereafter causing contraction of said connection, and adjustable means for varying the extent of expansion and contraction of the link connection. V e

12; In combination, a furnace, a reciprocat ing carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a structure mounted for reciprocation, means for reciprocating said struc ture, an extension member connected to the structure for independent rocking movement,

.. operating connections between said member and the carriage, an expansible and contracti: ble link connection between the rockable structure and the extension member, means on the carriage for gripping a bar to be fed through the furnace when said structure is moved in bar feeding direction and for releas'- ing the bar after the structure has been moved a predetermined distance in the other. direction, and means for; expandin the link after rocation, means for reciprocating said struc-x ture, an extension member connected to the structure for independent rocking movement, operating connections between saidmember and the carriage, an expansible and contract:

ible link connection between the rockable structure and the extension member, meansv on the carriage for, gripping a bar to be fed through the furnace when'said structure is moved inbar feedingdirection and'for releaSF' inglthe bar after the structure has been moved a predetermined distance in: the other direction, and means for expanding thelink after the bar has'been gripped and contracting the ,linkafter thebar has been released, and adjustable means for varying the extent of expansion and contraction of said link connection. r W 14. Incombinat-ion, a furnace, a reciproeating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the-furnacga structure mounted to rock on an axis, an extension member connected to the rockable structure for: independent rocking movement, operating. connections between said memberandthe carriage,- an; expansible and contractible link connection between the extensien member and the rockable structure, means forv oscillating said structure, means on the carriage for gripping a barlto be fed through the, furnace when the structure is moved in bar feeding direction and for releasing the bar after said structure hasbeen moved a predetermined distance iiithe other direction, and means -for extending the link after the bar has been gripped and for contracting the link after the bar has been released. '15.',In combination, a furnace, areciprocating carriage mounted adjacent" one end of the furnace, a structure mounted to rock on an axis, an extension member connected to the rockable structure for independent rocking mov ment, operating connections between'said niember'and the carriage, an expansible and contractile-lo link connection between the extension member and the rockab-le structure, means for oscillating said stru'e: turegmeans' on the carriage forgripping a bar'to be fed through the furnace when the structure is moved in bar feeding direction and for releasing theb'a'r after said structure has been moved a predetermined distance in the other direction, and means forextending the link after the bar has been gripped and for contracting the link after the bar has been released, and means for varying the ex tent'of expansion and contraction of said link connection. 7 V

16. In combination, a" furnace, 'a recipro; eating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a structure mounted for reciprocatlon, means for reciprocating said structure, an extension member connected to g the structure for independent rocking movement, operating connections between said member and the carriage, an expansible and contractible link connection between the rockablestructure and the extension member, means on the carriage for gripping a bar to be fed through the furnace when said structure is moved in bar feeding direction and forreleasing the bar after the structure has been moved a predetermined distance in the other direction, means operated in synchronism with the gripping means for extending the link after the bar has been gripped and contracting the link after the bar has been released.

17 In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a structure mounted to rock on an axis and comprising a pair of diverging arms, an extension member mounted on one of the arms for independent rocking movement, operating connections between said member and the carriage, an expansible and contractible link connection between the extension member and the other arm of said structure, means for oscillating the rockable structure, means on the carriage for gripping a bar to be fed through the furnace when said structure is rocked in bar feeding direction and for releasing the bar when the structure has been rocked a predetermined distance in the other direction, and means for expanding th link after the bar has been gripped and for contracting the link after the bar has been released;

18. In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a structure mounted to rock on an axis and comprising a pair of diverging arms, an extension member mounted on one of the arms for independent rocking movement, operating connections between said member and the carriage, an expansible and contractible link connection between the extension member and the other arm of said structure, means for oscillating the rockable structure, means on the carriage for gripping a bar to be fed through the furnace when said structure is rocked in bar feeding direction and for releasing the bar when the structure has been rocked a predetermined distance in the other direction, means for expanding the link after the bar has been gripped and for contracting the link after the bar has been released, and means for adjusting said extension member toward and away from said other arm of the rockable structure to vary the extent of expansion and contraction of said link connection.

19. In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a structure mounted to rock on an axis and comprising a pair of dive'iging arms, an extension member mounted on one of the arms for independent rocking movement, operating connections between said member and the carriage, an expansible and contractible link connection between the extension member and the other arm of said structure, means for oscillating the rockable structure, means on the carriage for gripping a bar to be fed through the furnace when said structure is rocked in'bar feeding direction and for releasing the bar when the structure has been rocked a predetermined distance in the other direction, and means for expanding the link after the bar has been gripped and for contracting the link after the bar has been released, a rod pivoted at one end of said extension" member and having a pivotal and slidable connection with said other arm, of th rockable structure, and means for varying the effective length of said rod. 7

20. In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a cylinder and a piston operating therein mounted on the carriage, bar gripping means mountedon the-carriage and controlled by the piston, means for reciprocating the carriage, said means including an expansible and contractible' link connection, means for'admitting pressure fluid to and exhausting it from the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston for moving the gripping means into bar gripping and releasing positions, and means controlled by the position of the piston for expanding the link connection when the piston is in bar gripping position and contracting said connection when the piston is in bar releasing position.

21. In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a cylinderand a piston operating therein mounted on the carriage, bar gripping means mounted onthe carriage and controlled the piston, means for reciprocating the carriage, said means including an expansible and contractible link connection, automatic means operated in synchronism with the carriage for admitting pressure fluid to and exhausting it from the cylinder at op-' posite sides of the piston for moving the bar gripping means into bar gripping and releasing positions, and means controlled by the position of the piston for'expanding the link connection when the piston is in bar grippingposition and contracting said connection when the piston is in bar releasing position.

22. In combination, a furnace, a reciprocating carriage mounted adjacent one end of the furnace, a cylinder and a piston operating therein mounted on the carriage, bar gripping means mounted on the carriage and controlled by the piston, means for reciprocating the carriage, said means including an expensible and ,contractible link connection comprising a cylinder and a piston operating iao therein, automatic means for operating in synchronism with the carriage for admitting pressure fluid to and exhausting it from the cylinder at opposite'sides of the piston for moving the bar gripping means into bar gripping and releasing positions, and means controlled by the position of the carriage piston for admitting pressure fluid to and exhausting it from the link cylinder at opposite sides of the piston therein for expanding said link connection when the carriage piston is moved into bar gripping position and contracting the link connections when the carriage piston is moved into bar releasing position.

23. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace, and shears disposed to cut a blank from the projected end of the bar and operated in synchronism with the feeding means,said feeding means advancing the bar step by step through the furnace.

24f. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace by reciprocation of the bar, shears disposed to cut a blank fromthe projected end of the bar,

the return movement of the bar being less than the projecting movement thereof by the length of the blank cut off, said feeding means advancing the bar step by step through the furnace, and means for driving the feeding means and the shears in synchronism.

25. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace by re ciprocation of the bar, shears disposed to cut a blank from the projected end of the bar, the return movement of the bar being less than the projecting movement thereof by the length of the blank cut off, said feeding means advancing the bar step by step through the furnace, and being adjustable to vary the length of the projected portion of the bar, and means for driving the feeding means and the shears in synchronism.

26. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a. predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace, shears disposed to cut a blank from the projected end of the bar and operated in synchronism with the feedingmeans, said feeding means advancing the bar step by step through the furnace, means beyond the shears for forging the blanks, and means for delivering the blanks from the shears to the forging means.

27. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace and returning it to the fur- '5 nace, and shears positionable to cut a blank from the projected bar, said feeding means comprising means for advancing the bar after a blank has been cut therefrom through the furnace a predetermined distance corresp ending to the length of the blank.

28. In combination, a furnace, reciprocating bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace, and shears disposed to cut a blank ing means advancing the bar through the furnace toward the shears at each alternate cut from the bar.

29. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace, shears disposed to cut a blank .from the projected end of'the bar, said feeding means advancing the bar through the furnace, means for forging the blanks, and means for delivering the blanks from the shears to the forging means.

' 30. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace, and shears disposed to cut a blank from the pro jected end of the bar, said feeding means advancing the bar step by step through the furnace and being disposed to engage the cold portion of the bar exterior of the furnace.

31. In combination, a furnace, bar feeding means for periodically projecting a bar from the furnace a predetermined distance and then returning the bar to the furnace, shears disposed to cut a blank from the projected end of the bar, said feeding means advancing the bar step by step through the furnace, and means for operating the feeding means and the shears sequentially.

' 32. In combination, a furnace, means for supporting a bar with a portion thereof within the furnace and the remainderof the bar normally extending exteriorly of the furnace, means for gripping the bar exterior of the furnace for projecting the hot portion thereof out of the furnace and restoring said hot portion to the furnace, and means for cutting a lglank from the projected hot portion of the 33. The combination of a furnace and feeding mechanism and a shear, said feeding mechanism comprising means for reciprocating abar in said furnace so that the end thereof Will alternately project beyond said furnace between the blades of said shear and be restored to said furnace, and means for intermittently advancing said bar through the furnace toward the shear.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of July 1929.

JAMES HALL TAYLOR.

from the projected end of the bar, said feed- 

